LED products: flashing LED display and decorative LEDs for autos and trucks

ABSTRACT

An eye grabber flashing LED store display adaptable to a standard store display peg is a flashing LED device to be used in stores to draw attention to the products the display is intended for. It uses an LED or LEDs, an electronic circuit, and an energy source such as batteries or solar panels or both. The invention is housed or secured by paper, polymer, composite, metal or other material and may optionally double as a sign displaying any means of graphics. The invention is adaptable to many store display methods including the standard peg display for carded products. The LED is preferably positioned either directly on the housing or at the tip of the peg the products hang on where it can be easily seen by anyone within the perimeter. A malleable wire LED light device and means of controlling lighting effects is a lighting device designed to provide white and/or colored illumination and lighting effects in and on various structures and machinery including tight places to reach. The malleable wire light uses one or more LEDs, a current limiting resistor or resistors, lengths of wire, and insulation to form a very small lamp suitable for routing through tight places with low clearance. The malleable wire light is preferably waterproof for exterior or interior use. It is adaptable for AC or DC operation. Typical application is interior and exterior of automobiles. Another is in college dorm rooms. The malleable wire light will not only work anywhere neon lighting will work, but it will also fit and work where neon will not because of its extremely small size. The malleable wire light is vibration resistant and virtually indestructible by direct blow of rock where neon is relatively fragile. The malleable wire light is more energy efficient and is cooler operating compared to neon. Multiple malleable wire lights can be controlled by circuitry to strobe, flash, chase, respond to music, change colors, and random flash to provide dazzling lighting effects.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] My U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/370,319, filed 5 Apr. 2002, is incorporated herein by reference. Priority of that application is claimed.

[0002] My co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/578,813, filed 24 May 2000, is incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] My U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/135,797, filed 24 May 1999, is incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0004] Not applicable

REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX”

[0005] Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] 1. Field of the Invention

[0007] The present invention relates generally to direct current light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and more particularly to LEDs for attracting attention.

[0008] 2. Background

[0009] Incorporated herein by reference are U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,065,290 and 5,816,696.

[0010] Also incorporated herein by reference are the following U.S. Patents: U.S. Pat. No. Title 6,340,868 Illumination components 6,292,901 Power/data protocol 6,211,626 Illumination components 6,166,496 Lighting entertainment system 5,848,837 Integrally formed linear light strip with light emitting diodes 5,695,346 Process and display with moveable images 4,675,575 Light-emitting diode assemblies and systems therefore. 5,365,149 4,355,348 4,305,117

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 4,193,651 discloses a short length of malleable, insulated metal conductor bearing a spark plug terminal connector at one end and, at the opposite end, a connector for attachment to a major length of the conventional, flexible, non-self-supporting ignition wire. The short length is of a self-supporting construction, typically of a solid core, heavy gauge metal wire that will retain a shape imparted to the conductor whereby the conductor can be bent into a form which spaces the conductor a safe distance from hot surfaces such as the exhaust manifold and from the other ignition wires.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] It is an object of the present invention to provide a flashing LED display, particularly suitable for in-store displays (especially for selling light bulbs comprising LEDs) and decorative LEDs, primarily for autos and trucks, but which can also be used in other places.

[0013] The decorative LEDs for autos and trucks preferably include a single LED mounted on one end of a malleable wire (such as the conductor disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,193,651) with a resistor between the LED and a source of power (such as an automobile battery). Preferably, the resistor is a standard axial lead resistor, and is preferably mounted near the LED; alternatively, the resistor could be solid state (such as a surface mounted resistor or chip resistor) and included in a control box, such that the LED is the only thing mounted on the malleable wire, and the LED is electrically connected to the control box.

[0014] The LED malleable wire lights of the present invention can preferably mount practically anywhere to add accentuating color and light to any 12 volt DC (though they can work at other voltages as well) application including under dashes, under seats, head liners, speakers, amps, console, wheel wells, under hood and just about anywhere one can imagine. Measuring typically ¼ inch round and ⅜ inch long, they snake into tight places not accessible by even the smallest of neon tubes, at typically a fraction of the cost.

[0015] Colors commercially available from Jam Strait Inc. are blue, red, white, green, amber, ultra-violet, and 7 color auto changing. One can connect them to interior lighting, running lights, head lights, a switch, or directly to power. All single color LEDs are preferably as bright as one will find anywhere, preferably with wide 25 to 30 degrees viewing angles (though LEDs with other viewing angles of e.g. about 1-180 degrees could also be used).

[0016] Lengths can be in, for example, 1′ increments, from about 1′ to about 24′. Colors can include blue, red, white, green, amber, ultra-violet, and 7 color auto changing (commercially available from China as CLED-5H7C or equivalent). Colors can include hyper red, hyper amber, hyper blue, hyper green, hyper white.

[0017] The LED, resistor, wire, and insulation are preferably formed in a small-diameter cylindrical shape about the size of the LED and are adapted to bend in various shapes. Typically one needs just 1 or 2 feet in length of malleable wire, and the rest can be stranded. The resistor value is preferably ¼ Watt, but could typically be about {fraction (1/16)} Watt up to 1 Watt. Preferably axial lead resistors are used (but they could be surface mounted resistors or chip resistors).

[0018] The present invention can include the malleable LED light modules used in conjunction with various circuits, such as a circuit to cause pulsing of the LEDs based on music intensity (in such a case, the input could be a microphone 31 or a hard-wire audio input from the sound source).

[0019] Preferably, there are 13 different displays that the controller will drive (each with 10 outputs from controller). There can be, for example, 10 different segments (but could piggy back them to get 20 or 30 or more segments). In one display, there can be a mode where it just lights one at a time (dot mode), but when it hits number 10 all of them light up.

[0020] See also http://www.jamstrait.com/snake1.html.

[0021] The flashing display device of the present invention uses wires as conductors, applies to all display methods, is preferably self-contained, with all electronics, displays, and power source in a single unit. Preferably, the LED(s) are in a card toward the top, above the product on display and facing forward so as to be effective for its purpose. Preferably, the flashing display device of the present invention is printed as display sign and is made to retrofit existing store pegs.

[0022] Preferably, the flashing display device of the present invention will work with all types of pegs and other store displays.

[0023] Preferably, the flashing display device of the present invention does more than flash one LED

[0024] Preferably, the flashing display device of the present invention installs with double back tape or glue to any display surface.

[0025] The flashing display device of the present invention is less expensive and more practical than similar prior art display devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:

[0027]FIG. 1A is a perspective front view of a store display of the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0028]FIG. 1B is a perspective rear view of a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0029]FIG. 2 is an LED pulse circuit for use with the store display of the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0030]FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, a malleable LED light;

[0031]FIG. 4 shows an LED control housing;

[0032]FIG. 5 shows a neon driver adapted to LED control circuit;

[0033]FIG. 6 shows a truck having the malleable LED lights of the present invention thereon;

[0034]FIG. 7 is an LED flash circuit for malleable LED lights of the present invention;

[0035]FIG. 8 is an optional filtered reference voltage circuit for malleable LED lights of the present invention;

[0036]FIG. 9 is a circuit for malleable LED lights of the present invention;

[0037]FIG. 10 is an LED control circuit with music pulse/PNP driver for malleable LED lights of the present invention;

[0038]FIG. 11 is an LED control circuit with an optional regulated reference voltage circuit for malleable LED lights of the present invention;

[0039]FIG. 12 is a music pulse and amplitude sequencer circuit with an alternate microphone and amplifier circuit for malleable LED lights of the present invention;

[0040]FIG. 13 is an LED control circuit with an optional microphone and amplifier circuit for malleable LED lights of the present invention;

[0041]FIG. 14 is an LED control circuit with music pulse and amplitude sequencer circuit with one embodiment of a microphone and amp circuit for malleable LED lights of the present invention;

[0042]FIG. 15 is a music pulse and amplitude sequencer circuit with alternate low pass active filter circuits for malleable LED lights of the present invention;

[0043]FIG. 16 is a music pulse and amplitude sequencer circuit with alternate low pass active filter circuits for malleable LED lights of the present invention;

[0044]FIG. 17 is a music pulse and amplitude sequencer circuit with optional active band pass

[0045] filter circuits for malleable LED lights of the present invention;

[0046]FIG. 18 is an LED control circuit with music pulse/PNP driver for malleable LED lights of the present invention;

[0047]FIG. 19 is an LED control circuit with a manual variable brightness circuit for malleable LED lights of the present invention;

[0048]FIG. 20 is an LED control circuit with a manual and automatic variable brightness circuit for malleable LED lights of the present invention;

[0049]FIG. 21 is an LED control circuit with a random/sequence light flasher circuit for malleable LED lights of the present invention;

[0050]FIG. 22 is an LED control circuit for malleable LED lights of the present invention which causes LED to change color with music;

[0051]FIG. 23 is an LED control circuit with a neon/auxiliary driver circuit for malleable LED lights of the present invention;

[0052]FIG. 24 is an LED control circuit for malleable LED lights of the present invention which causes LED to change color;

[0053]FIG. 25 shows a malleable LED light of the present invention with a connection to get power from a standard automobile cigarette lighter receptacle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0054] Although specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, it should be understood that such embodiments are by way of example only, and merely illustrative of but a small number of the many possible specific embodiments which can represent applications of the principles of the present invention. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the present invention as further defined in the appended claims.

Flashing LED Store Display Adaptable to Standard Store Display Peg

[0055] The first embodiment of the present invention is a flashing LED device 10 used in stores to draw attention to the products for which the display is intended. It uses an LED 15 or LEDs, an electronic circuit 18, and an energy source such as batteries 19 or solar panels or both. The invention can be housed or secured by paper, polymer, composite, metal or other material and may optionally double as a sign displaying any means of graphics. The invention is adaptable to many store display methods including the standard peg display for carded products. The LED is preferably positioned directly on the housing 11 above the peg (see peg hole 12) on which the products hang, where it can be easily seen by anyone within the area (that is, anyone who is near enough to see the products on display). A dotted line 14 in FIG. 1A indicates the top level of the cards of the products displayed on the peg with which apparatus 10 is used.

[0056] Some features of the first embodiment of the present invention can preferably include:

[0057] a flashing LED or LEDs (any color, brightness, style);

[0058] electronic circuitry either inside the LED or out;

[0059] electrical power source either AC, DC, battery, and/or solar;

[0060] housing or body of any material to hold circuit and/or to secure the above;

[0061] housing or body that doubles as a sign;

[0062] LED (any color, brightness, style, including color changing LED);

[0063] housing that adapts to standard store peg;

[0064] housing that adapts to standard store shelves;

[0065] housing that adapts to standard store endcaps;

[0066] housing that adapts to standard strip clips;

[0067] housing that adapts to standard store price and product description display bars;

[0068] housing that adapts to free-standing store displays;

[0069] housing that adapts to special store displays;

[0070] flashing LEDs that chase or alternately flash;

[0071] housing with store peg already built in; and/or

[0072] housing with LED mounted within.

LED Malleable Wire Light Device and Means of Controlling Lighting Effects

[0073] The second embodiment of the present invention is a lighting device 20 designed to provide white and/or colored illumination and lighting effects in and on various structures and machinery including tight places to reach. The malleable wire light 20 uses one or more LED's 21, a current limiting resistor 22 or resistors, lengths of wire 23, and insulation 24 to form a very small lamp suitable for routing through tight places with low clearance. The malleable wire light 20 is preferably waterproof for exterior or interior use. It is preferably adaptable for AC or DC operation. Typical applications are in the interior or on the exterior of automobiles. Another typical application is in a college dorm room. The malleable wire light will not only work anywhere neon lighting will work, but it will also fit and work where neon will not because of its extremely small size. The malleable wire light is vibration-resistant and virtually indestructible by direct blow of rock whereas neon is relatively fragile. The malleable wire light is more energy efficient and is cooler operating compared to neon. Multiple malleable wire lights can be controlled by circuitry to strobe, flash, chase, respond to music, change colors, and random flash to provide dazzling lighting effects.

[0074] Some features of the second embodiment of the present invention can preferably include:

[0075] LED control circuit to strobe (FIG. 20);

[0076] LED control circuit to flash (FIG. 20);

[0077] LED control circuit to random flash (FIG. 21);

[0078] LED control circuit to chase (FIG. 21);

[0079] LED control circuit to pulse with music (FIGS. 18 and 10);

[0080] LED control circuit to change color with music (FIG. 22);

[0081] LED control circuit to pulse or turn on individual light outputs in sequence as the amplitude of audible signal is increased (FIG. 9);

[0082] LED control circuit adaptable to neon (FIGS. 5 and 23);

[0083] LED control circuit to change colors (FIG. 24);

[0084] LED control circuit to vary brightness manually (FIG. 19);

[0085] LED control circuit to vary brightness automatically (FIG. 20);

[0086] LED control circuit of adaptable to other LED lighting other than malleable wire light (FIGS. 23, 5, 18, and 10);

[0087] LED(s), resistors, wire, and insulation formed in small cylindrical shape the size of the LED adapted to route through tight and low clearance places (FIG. 3);

[0088] LED(s), resistors, wire, and insulation formed in small cylindrical shape the size of the LED adapted to bend in various shapes (FIG. 3);

[0089] LED(s), resistors, wire, and insulation formed in small cylindrical shape the size of the LED;

[0090] LED adapted to be weatherproof (FIG. 3);

[0091] LED(s), resistors, wire, and insulation formed in small cylindrical shape the size of the LED adapted to be vibration resistant (FIG. 3);

[0092] LED(s), resistors, wire, and insulation formed in small cylindrical shape the size of the LED adapted to last 100,000 hours of continuous operation, longer if flashing (FIG. 3);

[0093] LED(s), resistors, wire, and insulation formed in small cylindrical shape the size of the LED adapted to be very energy efficient (FIG. 3);

[0094] LED(s), resistors, wire, and insulation formed in small cylindrical shape the size of the LED adapted to create very little heat (FIG. 3);

[0095] LED(s), resistors, wire, and insulation formed in small cylindrical shape the size of the LED adapted to connect to DC power via automotive cigarette lighter (FIG. 25);

[0096] LED(s), resistors, wire, and insulation formed in small cylindrical shape the size of the LED adapted to connect to DC power via connection to fuse box or splice into any automotive power including brake, tail, turn, headlights, interior lights, dome lights, indicator lights or any other source of power including connecting directly to the battery (FIG. 3);

[0097] LED(s), resistors, wire, and insulation formed in small cylindrical shape the size of the LED adapted to create very little heat.

[0098] The present invention includes multiple LEDs of various colors in a clear lens of a tail light of an automobile.

[0099] The circuits herein could be used with a single LED (unless, by the nature of the circuit, no useful output would occur, as in the case of chasing LEDs). The circuits herein are preferably used with the malleable LED apparatus of the present invention, but could be used with other LEDs. The circuits herein are preferably used with LEDs installed in automobiles and trucks.

[0100]FIG. 25 shows a malleable LED light 20 with a connection 35 to get power from a standard automobile cigarette lighter receptacle.

[0101] More information about LEDs and LED products can be found at www.jamstrait.com.

[0102] All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. All materials used or intended to be used in a human being are biocompatible, unless indicated otherwise.

[0103] The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. Apparatus including an LED, a resistor, and conducting wires, the conducting wires each having a first end and a second end, the LED being operatively attached at the first ends of the conducting wires, and the second ends of the conducting wires being attachable to a source of electricity, wherein the conducting wires are malleable, allowing the LED to be positioned without support other than the conducting wires.
 2. Apparatus including an LED, a resistor, and conducting wires, the conducting wires each having a first end and a second end, the LED being operatively attached at the first ends of the conducting wires, and the second ends of the conducting wires being attachable to a source of electricity, wherein at least one of the conducting wires is malleable, allowing the LED to be positioned without support other than the conducting wire.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conducting wire is 16-30 gauge and made of copper, aluminum, tinned copper, or other metal insulated with a coating from the group consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene, PVC, butyl rubber, neoprene rubber, and silicone rubber.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conducting wire is about 1-2 feet in length
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conducting wire is at least 6 inches in length.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conducting wire is at least 12 inches in length.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conducting wire is at least 18 inches in length.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conducting wire is at least 24 inches in length.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conducting wire is at least 30 inches in length.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conducting wire is at least 36 inches in length.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conducting wire is 24 gauge copper coated with PVC.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conducting wire has about 5-25% recoil.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the conducting wire has about 10% recoil.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the resistor is adjacent the LED.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the resistor is an axial lead resistor.
 16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the resistor is about {fraction (1/16)} Watt to 1 Watt.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the resistor is about ¼ Watt.
 18. A flashing, self-contained, display device including: a housing for containing a power source, conductors, and an LED, the housing having a top and a bottom; a hole in the housing to allow the housing to be placed on a store peg behind products hung on the store peg; the LED being mounted facing forward near the top of the housing, above the products hung on the store peg, so that the LED can be viewed when products are hung on the store peg.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising circuitry to cause the LED to flash.
 20. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising an LED control circuit to strobe.
 21. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising an LED control circuit to flash.
 22. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising an LED control circuit to random flash.
 23. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising multiple LEDs and an LED control circuit to chase.
 24. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising an LED control circuit to pulse with music.
 25. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising an LED control circuit to change color with music.
 26. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising multiple LEDs and an LED control circuit to pulse or turn on individual light outputs in sequence as the amplitude of an audible signal is increased.
 27. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising an LED control circuit adaptable to neon.
 28. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising an LED control circuit to change colors.
 29. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising an LED control circuit to vary brightness manually.
 30. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising an LED control circuit to vary brightness automatically.
 31. Apparatus including: a plurality of LEDs adapted for attachment to an automobile; a control circuit operatively connected to the plurality of LEDs for driving the plurality of LEDs; and a microphone for picking up an audio signal to feed to the control circuit to drive the plurality of LEDs.
 32. Apparatus including: an LED or LEDs adapted for attachment to an automobile; and one of the control circuits disclosed herein operatively connected to the LED or LEDs for driving the LED(s).
 33. The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising a microphone for picking up an audio signal to feed to the control circuit to drive the LED or LEDs.
 34. The invention substantially as shown and described herein. 